Top 20 Varieties of Mizuna to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Mizuna, a Japanese mustard green, is known for its delicate, feathery leaves and mild peppery flavor. Often used in salads, stir-fries, and soups, mizuna is highly nutritious and easy to grow. It thrives in cool weather and is fast-growing, making it an excellent choice for spring and fall gardens. With its attractive, deeply serrated leaves, mizuna adds both beauty and flavor to your garden and plate. Here’s your guide to the top 20 mizuna varieties to grow, along with tips, interesting facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Mizuna Varieties to Grow

1. Early Mizuna

Tips: Early Mizuna grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This fast-growing variety matures in just 21-30 days, producing mild, tender leaves perfect for fresh salads or stir-fries.

2. Purple Mizuna

Tips: Purple Mizuna thrives in full sun with fertile, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This variety has striking purple leaves with a slightly spicy flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and adds color and flavor to salads and dishes.

3. Red Streaked Mizuna

Tips: Red Streaked Mizuna grows well in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This variety produces deep green leaves with red veins and a mild peppery flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and is perfect for adding color and spice to salads.

4. Beni Houshi Mizuna

Tips: Beni Houshi grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water consistently to promote healthy leaf growth.
Facts: This variety features bright purple stems and green leaves with a mild flavor. It matures in about 30 days and is perfect for fresh eating or adding to stir-fries.

5. Komatsuna (Japanese Mustard Spinach)

Tips: Komatsuna thrives in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: Often used interchangeably with mizuna, this variety has smooth, tender leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and is great for salads or cooking.

6. Kyoto Mizuna

Tips: Kyoto Mizuna grows well in full sun with fertile, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This traditional Japanese variety produces finely serrated green leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It matures in about 30 days and is perfect for fresh eating or stir-fries.

7. Mibuna

Tips: Mibuna prefers full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp.
Facts: This closely related variety has narrow, elongated leaves with a mild, mustard-like flavor. It matures in about 30 days and is ideal for fresh salads or stir-fries.

8. Early Purple Mizuna

Tips: Early Purple Mizuna thrives in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote tender leaf growth.
Facts: This variety produces purple stems and dark green leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It matures in about 25-30 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

9. Savanna Mizuna

Tips: Savanna Mizuna grows best in full sun to partial shade with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: Known for its finely serrated, light green leaves, this variety has a mild, slightly peppery flavor. It matures in about 25-30 days and adds texture to salads and stir-fries.

10. Red Splendor Mizuna

Tips: Red Splendor thrives in full sun with rich, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This variety features deep red stems and dark green leaves with a mild flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and is great for fresh eating or adding color to dishes.

11. Miz America

Tips: Miz America grows well in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This variety produces vibrant red-purple leaves with a slightly spicy flavor. It matures in about 30 days and is perfect for fresh salads or stir-fries.

12. Mizuna Lime Streaks

Tips: Mizuna Lime Streaks thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote healthy leaf growth.
Facts: This variety produces bright green leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and adds color and texture to fresh salads.

13. Tokyo Bekana

Tips: Tokyo Bekana prefers full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: Often used in mizuna mixes, this variety has tender, pale green leaves with a mild, cabbage-like flavor. It matures in about 30 days and is perfect for fresh eating or sautéing.

14. Golden Mizuna

Tips: Golden Mizuna grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This variety produces bright yellow-green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 30-35 days and is ideal for adding color and texture to salads.

15. Tatsoi Mizuna Mix

Tips: Tatsoi Mizuna Mix thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote tender leaves.
Facts: This blend features both tatsoi and mizuna greens, offering a mild, peppery flavor and crisp texture. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for fresh eating or stir-fries.

16. Early Miz America

Tips: Early Miz America grows well in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This early-maturing variety produces vibrant red leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It matures in about 20-25 days and adds color to salads and stir-fries.

17. Green Wave Mizuna

Tips: Green Wave Mizuna thrives in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote tender leaf growth.
Facts: This variety features dark green, finely serrated leaves with a slightly spicy flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and is perfect for fresh eating or stir-fries.

18. Mizuna Garnet Giant

Tips: Mizuna Garnet Giant grows best in full sun with fertile, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This variety produces large, deep red leaves with a mild, peppery flavor. It matures in about 30-35 days and is ideal for fresh salads or sautéing.

19. Red Giant Mizuna

Tips: Red Giant Mizuna thrives in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This variety features large, red-tinged leaves with a bold, spicy flavor. It matures in about 30-40 days and is perfect for adding a spicy kick to salads and stir-fries.

20. Mizuna Mustard Mix

Tips: Mizuna Mustard Mix grows well in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This mix includes different mustard greens and mizuna, offering a range of peppery, slightly spicy flavors. It matures in about 25-30 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

Common Questions About Growing Mizuna

Q: When should I plant mizuna?
A: Mizuna is a cool-season crop and should be planted in early spring or late summer for fall harvests. It grows best in temperatures between 50-75°F (10-24°C).

Q: Can I grow mizuna in containers?
A: Yes, mizuna can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 6-8 inches deep with good drainage. Compact varieties like ‘Early Mizuna’ or ‘Red Streaked’ are ideal for container gardening.

Q: How long does mizuna take to grow?
A: Mizuna typically takes 20-40 days to mature, depending on the variety. You can start harvesting baby leaves as early as 20 days after planting.

Q: How do I harvest mizuna?
A: Mizuna can be harvested using the “cut and come again” method. Simply snip the outer leaves when they are 3-4 inches tall, leaving the base intact to allow for regrowth.

**Q: How do I store harvested mizuna

?**
A: Freshly harvested mizuna can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To keep it fresh longer, wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag or container.